Group E: Honduras vs. Switzerland

4 p.m. ET, Wednesday June 25

Sportsnet, streaming online at cbc.ca/fifaworldcup

What’s at stake

The Swiss have three points and are tied with Ecuador for second place in their group. But Switzerland has a goal differential of -2, while Ecuador is even. The Swiss want to win and improve their goal differential.

Honduras is going home, but spoil Switzerland’s party by beating the Europeans and gaining their first (and last) points in Brazil.

Impact players

Honduras: Carlo Costly. This striker has his country’s only goal of the World Cup. And he gave Honduras a big lift against Ecuador before they eventually lost.

Switzerland: Blerim Dzemaili. The midfielder scored Switzerland’s first goal in that thrashing by France, giving them hope that led to a second goal.

What to watch for

Switzerland is undefeated against CONCACAF opponents at the World Cup finals. They want to keep that streak alive with a victory against Honduras. With goal differential a tiebreaking factor, the Swiss will keep pressing even if they get a lead.

Costly’s goal against Ecuador was fast and hard. He and his teammates want to attack the Swiss in a similarly aggressive way.

They said it

"Hope is the last thing you lose, as they say. But we know it'll be a very tough match against the Swiss because we know their game well.” — Carlo Costly, talking to FIFA.com.

“The French were ice cold in taking their chances and they had excellent counter-attacks." — Ottmar Hitzfeld, the Swiss manager, talking to reporters after a 5-2 loss to France.

The big number

7 — Switzerland’s match against France featured seven goals, the most in a single game so far. So the Swiss are used to high-scoring matches, and they’ll need another — as well as a win — this time.

Obligatory fun fact

These two teams last met exactly four years ago in the group stage in South Africa. It was a 0-0 draw.

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